Lung Cancer Risk Elevated From Structural Racism in Ethnic, Minority Groups

Inequalities among racial and ethnic minority groups affect lung cancer risk, according to recent research led by Sidra N. Bonner, MD, MPH, MSc.

Bonner and colleagues conducted a scoping review that delved into structural racism and its association with health and health outcomes across the United States.

Studies were found using three databases—PubMed, Embase, and MedNar—from January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2022. Seven domains were reviewed: housing and built environment, occupation and employment, health care, economic and educational opportunity, private industry, perceived stress and discrimination, and criminal justice involvement.

The researchers found several key factors of structural racism that are contributors to disparities in lung cancer risk. For instance, racial and ethnic minority groups are more likely to have environmental exposures to air pollution and known carcinogens because of segregation of neighborhoods and poor housing quality. Moreover, pesticide, silica, and asbestos exposure are more common in minority populations.

In addition, ethnic and minority neighborhoods had more targeted tobacco marketing and advertising by private industry. In Black and Hispanic populations, the review showed disparities in tobacco use and cessation services among individuals with criminal justice involvement.

Bonner et al also discovered higher lung cancer risk in individuals who had poor access to primary care services and inequities in insurance status.

Although these findings reveal the pivotal role that structural racism plays in lung cancer risk, more research is needed to identify the mechanism contributing to this risk and how to tailor preventive interventions, the researchers said.